I am looking for information on the hormone, seretonin. I want to know about the symptoms.?

Question

my wife has been poorly for some time and now we are basically looking into it ourselves seeing as the doctors dont seem to have a clue. And so any information that anyone can offer would be fantastic. thanks

Answer 1

Please do NOT take St. Johns wort at the same time as SSSI's such as paroxatene hydrochloride. Check the label before you take it, if in doubt check with the pharmacist.
Cognitive behaviour therapy is good for people who want to take an active role in their own health. It describes different behaviour cycles, you then get to design an intervention for yourself.
So for example, for a repetitive nightmare, you'd sit and re-write the end. Only you can do that for yourself, because you have to believe your alternative ending is realistic. Other people can make suggestions, but you have some control over the therapy process. The next step would be to rehearse your new, wanted ending; finally you'll get some control over the dream. You can stop dreading it happening.
But the best thing going in your wifes favour at the moment is your support. It is actually proven to have a positive effect on mental health.
Best of luck to you both.

Answer 2

You don't specify exactly how your wife is poorly but I guess it's a depressive disorder. This is often brought on by either a lack of seratonin or excess of it - it may seem as though the doctors don't have a clue, but often treatment for depression is a process of elimination - one needs to be on an antidepressant for at least 12 weeks to know if it is helpful. Some encourage the neuroreceptors to take up the seratonin and some inhibit the uptake of seratonin, others encourage the production of it. You can't buy it because it would be dangerous - be patient and supportive, trust the medics, after all they are trained.

Answer 3

OK, so it seems your wife has depression, most doctors will only prescribe anti depressants to help "control" the lack of serotonin.

But there are side effects to these, and they aren't a cure.

Some people use St Johns wart, it helps the distribution of what serotonin there is.

That is all i know, you could try searching for it on the net, but you can never be sure if it is the real thing.

Also serotonin is a hormone, i didn't know that it could be used as a treatment.

Answer 4

SSRI's are medications affecting serotonin re-uptake inhibitors they are used for anxiety disorders, depression and other mental illnesses. The levels of serotonin in the brain affect mood, behavior and stability. Your wife needs a good psychiatric evaluation, especially since the MD's have no clue. Some SSRI's work for some people, others don't, so you need time to monitor the medication. Also they don't become effective for a few weeks. examples of SSRI's are paxil, zoloft, prozac, effexor.

Avoid medications like xanax and ativan and klonopin as they are "quick fixes" and very addictive.

Answer 5

An inbalance of seratonin levels can be a cause of bi polar.So that the person can be on a 'high' one minute and depressed the next, I suggest you check out a NHS web site or the Psychiatric journal web site.

Answer 6

Hope this helps

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin